A spritely unbeaten 27 in as many balls from Umar Gul helped Pakistan stretch their score past the 200-mark after Adnan Akmal (9) and Saeed Ajmal (4) fell to Finn and Anderson respectively - both men bowled.

Aizaz Cheema was run out by Finn and Craig Kieswetter from the last ball of the innings for five.

England then showed Pakistan how a top order should operate with Cook and Pietersen matching each other stroke for stroke during a 170-run partnership in 28.2 overs.

Cook hit nine fours and one six before he was denied a third consecutive ODI century when he was caught by Adnan Akmal off Ajmal.

Pietersen was in brilliant touch, hitting ten fours and two sixes and with the game well beyond Pakistan, England had the luxury of enabling Eoin Morgan to bat at three, and he boosted his confidence with an unbeaten 24 in 32 balls to guide England to one of their most convincing ODI victories away from home.

The series win is their first against India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka outside of England since 2007.

The final game in the series - also in Dubai - is on Tuesday 21st February.